Orbitz Gaming Wireless Mini Keyboard for XBox One

Got to say my kids have loved video games ever since we introduced them to our beloved vintage favorites and it seems that technology is creating ways to make the experience more enjoyable. While the brand name products for each video game console are always recommended by the game manufacturer, we know that in today's competitive market there are always products the promise the same result at a great savings to your bank account.

Orbitz Gaming has designed and launched its own version of the wireless mini keyboard for use with the XBox One, but you have to always ask yourself, is it truly worth it in the end to save money when the product might not perform as promised? Rest assured in this case the results are better than expected. I had my teenage son, who loves his XBox One and plays it with growing frequency to test this product out for me. I mean who can tell if it works as promised other than the ones the company designs and markets the products for!

Here is what he discovered when using Orbitz Gaming Wireless Mini Keyboard for XBox One. It fits in the standard XBox One controller just as the brand name product would. It does leave a bit of a gap behind the controller, but my daughter said it fit her hands perfectly. So it was not an issue for her with smaller hands. The chat feature works perfectly just like it should. All functions of the product work as expected and the only downfall with the product is that it did take 2-3 times to power up the controller. Other than that, it worked as well as you might expect. He said he would give it a 4 out of 5 stars and the only reason for a lower than perfect rating is that it is not brand name. Other than that, if you are looking for a wireless mini keyboard to use for your XBox One, you would definitely not go wrong with this product for the price point. I received Orbitz Gaming Wireless Mini Keyboard for XBox One compliments of VIP Power Club.

For more information about Orbitz Gaming Wireless Mini Keyboard for XBox One, or where to pick one up today, please click on the links below:

Orbitz Gaming Wireless Mini Keyboard for XBox One

CSX P315A 3D Pedometer

It seems like everyone these days is into staying fit whatever their fitness level and most can agree that walking is one that almost everyone can do. It limits the physical strain that running places on the joints and even malls are supporting groups to show up early for a trip around the mall indoors, making walking the easiest to do and with very minimal if any cost. Just grab your walking tennis shoes and head out to the location of your choice.

The one fitness tool you might want to invest in is a pedometer. It not only tracks the number of steps, distance walked, calories burned and even speed depending on the model. Of course some are even adding that app to their smart phones as well, but if you're like me, you might notice there are some flaws with some apps. They aren't accurate, lack some of the features I mentioned and require you to carry around your device and engage the app.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to review the CSX P315A 3D Pedometer. It is small, lightweight and can be worn around your neck to keep from losing it if you attack it to your shoes or the weather tends to be a bit wet. It counts down the number of your steps, and even includes the distance walked, calories burned and your speed all in one small, easy to use device. The best part is that it goes into sleep mode after 3 minutes of inactivity. The device can be set up to measure in both standard (miles) and metric (kilometers) depending on your preference. The one feature that I love is the fifteen steps error correction. To avoid counting accidental movement as steps and also to record 'active' steps that will improve your fitness, the counter will wait until you walk 15 continuous steps before it begins recording the steps at 15, 16, 17, etc.

Keep in mind that all 3D pedometers count 'movement' as a step. The pedometer may not count steps correctly in the following conditions: irregular motion such as swinging and vibrating, inconsistent walking pace, standing up, sitting down movements, and even vertical and horizontal vibration in a moving vehicle such as a bicycle, car, train or bus. This device even comes with a pause feature that prevents you from counting any activity you don't wish to be counted like riding in a car or other vehicle.

The pedometer can store up to seven days for the steps, distance, calories, average speed and exercise time and if you don't like the option of placing this around your neck, you can tuck it into your pocket, handbag or backpack or attach it using the strap that is provided. It is recommended to place it under your clothing if you choose the option of wearing it around your neck to prevent bouncing which may cause the pedometer to count extra steps. The best part is that when the batteries need replacing the device will let you know and it requires 1 CR-2032 battery which you can find at most stores. In addition, there is a comprehensive and easy to use instruction guide that will have you up and going in no time flat.

I received the CSX P315A 3D Pedometer compliments of CSX Competitive Sports Xtreme for my honest review of their product and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from the product in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion of the product. For anyone who is serious about tracking their walking fitness levels, this is an exceptional product to pick up and begin using immediately. The product comes with a 18 month warranty, a neck lanyard and an easy to use instruction booklet. I would easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about the CSX P315A 3D Pedometer or where you can pick one up today, please click on the links below:

CSX P315A 3D Pedometer

Goose Creek Forest Blend 4 Inch Pillar Candle

Pine trees. Patchouli. Jasmine. Rose. Mandarin. These are the incredible scents that you will in one of several Forest Blend candles from Goose Creek depending on the three color pillar you choose from. I received a 4 inch three pour Forest Blend pillar candle and from top to bottom you can see luxurious beige atop a soft, sage green with a basal layer in a caramel/tan hue. The exotic earthy allure of patchouli is captured in this unique aroma that blends mandarin, thyme, floral rose, jasmine and violet with woody patchouli, sandalwood, cedar and white cashmere. Fans of that essence of walking through a forest will absolutely LOVE this candle. 

The burn time on this is 45 hours, and when you remove the sticker at the bottom, it remains a bit tacky so you might want to place it in a candle holder or pillar stand designed for use to ensure that no residue will remain on whatever you place the pillar on. This is a single wick and as each layer burns through the particular color, it gives off another distinctive forest fragrance that compliments each of the layers. Since this is a Goose Creek candle, it is clean burning and leaves no smoke behind. The fragrance on this pillar is a much more milder blend than in the other candle options, but I think it works out perfectly so you are not too overwhelmed by these fragrance types. 

These are non-toxic and are made in the USA which is another plus for this reviewer on purchasing candles from this company. I especially love the little medallion that comes around the candle attached with a bit of raffia, which would need to be removed before lighting. This candle is designed for an even melt when lit so you are truly using all the candle you are paying for. I absolutely love this candle and have it in our mountain home in Wrightwood. Can't wait to add a few more of the scents available in the three pour pillar candle style. 

I received the Goose Creek Forest Blend 4 Inch Three Pour Pillar Candle compliments of Goose Creek Candle Company and Omni-Deals for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free sample of this candle in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion of this product. I absolutely LOVE Goose Creek Candles and will be the only candle I will probably purchase in the future because I love the amount of fragrance you get and love that these burn clean without the smoke you get from other candle manufacturers. For me, this one garners another stellar 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. 

For more information about Goose Creek Forest Blend 4 Inch Three Pour Pillar Candle, Goose Creek Candle Company or where you can pick up a one of these candles for your own home today, please click on the links below: 

Goose Creek Forest Blend 4 Inch Three Pour Pillar Candle

You can find Goose Creek Candle Company on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest products. 

You can order this candle through Amazon today. 

Goose Creek Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake Wax Melts

I can honestly tell you that my new favorite candle company is Goose Creek! There fragrances on the candles I have, are absolutely mouth-watering and bring back a sense of nostalgia from your childhood, especially on Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes! I had the wonderful opportunity to review this in their wax melts, which contains 6 triangle shaped wedges just the perfect size to drop into your candle burner. These were super easy to use and the amount of fragrance in just wafer tells you that the company doesn't scrimp of the amount that use to produce just what you would expect in these wax melts.

There are 6 wedges which last about 8-9 hours and for use in the ceramic tea light burners or the newest electric candle tart warmers which I love. They don't come with wicks and are meant to be used in the products for which they were designed, so they melt and don't give off smoke, just the delightful fragrance of a summer day filled with strawberries and lemonade along with just the right sugary fragrance of some vanilla cupcakes. Don't be surprised if someone doesn't ask what you are baking when you light one of these in your home. Brings back so many perfect memories and love that Goose Creek has designed these in addition to their candles with wicks as well. You are truly bound to be just like me, and stock pile your favorite scents for each season!

I received Goose Creek Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake Wax Melts compliments of Goose Creek Candle Company and Omni-Deals for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a single pack of the 6 wedge wax melts in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I can't wait to pick up my favorite fall and winter scents just in time for the upcoming holiday season and to give my home that welcome and heartwarming feel you would expect when you walk in and smell something delicious! I would easily rate these a 5 out of 5 stars!

For more information about Goose Creek Candle Company, Goose Creek Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake Wax Melts or where you can pick these up today for your own home, please click on the links below:

Goose Creek Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake Wax Melts

You can find Goose Creek Candle Company on Facebook to stay up to date with all their products and fragrances.

You can pick these up today at Amazon as well. 

Goose Creek Blueberry Cheesecake Candle

Perhaps one of my favorite smells in the whole world is blueberries in just about anything from muffins to pancakes to picking them fresh off the bush when they are in season. I am so thrilled to share with you an amazing new company that has delivered for me, one amazing new candle, Blueberry Cheesecake from Goose Creek!

First of all the fragrance is amazing and they truly didn't skimp on that when it came to putting together their 16 ounce, double wick Blueberry Cheesecake candle in a jar with a lid. I love candle that come this way because it helps you to retain the fragrance by not allowing it to dry out, and thus the reason for the lid. Now what I love about this candle.

Burn time is 90 hours. They each are homemade and have the most allowable fragrance per liquid ounce available, which is why they smell amazing. Top that off with the fact they are clean burning, meaning they are smokeless, which is perfect for me, because that residue from most other candles can get over your walls and just about anywhere else you light your candles. This one is amazing. It is 3 x 3 x 5 inches tall, weighs in at about 1.8 pounds and will make your mouth water when you light this up in your home.

I received Goose Creek Blueberry Cheesecake 16 oz candle compliments of Goose Creek and Omni Deals for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free sample of this candle in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. Anyone who loves the sweet fragrance of blueberry cheesecake will absolutely LOVE this candle. I keep it in my office to help curb off those hunger cravings for something sweet and to make my home office a wonderfully warm and inviting place to work. For me, Goose Creek candles is going to be one of my all time favorites to add to my home and this one hits a stellar home run with a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about Goose Creek, Blueberry Cheesecake Candles or where you can pick one up today, please click on the links below:

Goose Creek Blueberry Cheesecake 16 oz Candle

You can find Goose Creek Candle Company on Facebook to stay up to date with all their latest products and fragrances.

HCSB The Illustrator's NoteTaking Bible

Seems like the latest trend for Bible readers, is called Bible Journaling. It combines coloring and note-taking into one within your Bible. Rather than simply jotting down notes, readers are doing far more than simply drawing simple pictures in the margins of their Bibles and Bible publishers have taken notice.

I had the chance to review one such incredible Bible for those who love the coloring concept taking over the Bible trends but perhaps may be like me, a bit artistically challenged in defining what they might want to add to their Bible. HCSB or Holman Christian Standard Bible has created The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible. Filled with over 600 images including text designs, images and filigree patterns along with adjoining pages that still provide you the ability to create your own designs or utilize them for note taking as well.

These illustrations are done in a light grey allowing you to personalize them in any way with your own color choices or design elements. There are everything from famous scriptures verses, random doodles, florals or leaves, to detailed elements pertaining to a particular passage or chapter that anyone can design to their own personal artistic tastes.

The Bible comes in a brown leather like cover, with ribbon place holder perfect for keeping track of your daily Bible reading. The illustrations were done by Kristi Smith, an award-winning illustrator and hand-letterer at Juicebox Designs, a graphic design firm in Nashville, TN. Her work can be seen in their online porfolio and retail store, the Juice Bar, located at juiceboxdesigns.com.

The only downside I can see on this, is despite all the markers I have tried, they ALL bleed through even highlighters if used repeatedly, to say highlight a particular passage of Scripture and want to deepen the shade of the color. I would LOVE it, if I could find something that works with the quality of true marker colors and hues, but for now, the only thing that I would recommend is coloring pencils of any brand and maker.

The font size is 7 pt and comes with colored maps at the end, a presentation page if you were to give this as a gift to someone, God's plan of Salvation, Commonly Used Abbreviations, Bullet Notes, Daily Bible Reading Plan and a Concordance. Truly this would make a wonderful gift to anyone who truly loves God's Word and adding a bit of color to their Bible alongside their note-taking. The words of Jesus are not red-lettered and the edges are gold tipped.

I received HCSB The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible compliments of B and H Publishing for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside for a free copy of The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible in exchange for my personal and unbiased review of the product. Now all I have to do is manage to pick up another one of these because my 17-year old daughter absolutely has inherited this for her own and even takes along a package of coloring pencils for those times when you arrive early to church and need something to do. Well worth all of the 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. There are two color cover choices, tan or purple so there is one for every member of your family who loves to color!

For more information about HCSB The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible, Kristi Smith or where you can pick up a copy of this Bible today, please click on the links below:

HCSB The Illustrator's Notetaking Bible

You can find Kristi Smith at the JuiceBox Designs on Facebook. 

To read more reviews on HCSB The Illustrators Notetaking Bible, please visit B and H Publisher's Facebook page. 

BugzOff Electric Fly Swatter Racket - Product Review

 

 

I have always been fascinated by Bug Zappers, in fact I begged my husband for one since having one in our backyard many, many years ago, and since moving to the desert, anytime we turn on a light, bugs are inevitably attracted to the light. We have strong LED porch light that we keep on at night and whenever we attempt to enter our home at night, after being out, we have tons of flying creatures we have to duck and avoid just to make it inside our front door.

My dad has an electric bug zapper similar to this one and I really wanted to try it, especially now that summer is here and with all kinds of flying pests whenever you want to eat outside, I thought this might be fun. It takes 2 AA batteries in order to operate the zapper portion of it, and you simply press the red button on the side to activate the device.

Pros: Easy to use, and operate. Adding the batteries can be done without using a screwdriver, just simply put on the battery cover and insert the batteries.

Cons: The portion on my battery cover is extremely sharp and not well made. I can see cutting myself if I don't file it down a bit. Also when I attempted to push the button and swing the device, it sparks without hitting anything randomly. It took almost seven pops of the zapper to kill a simple wasp. I was a bit afraid to set it down on anything since I didn't want anyone to get zapped by it accidentally, since when I set it down the first time on a plastic tub, it zapped without having the button depressed. Not sure I would want this laying around for any child to touch by accident even if you don't depress the button.

Overall, I was NOT impressed by the quality of the product. It feels cheaply made considering other devices out there that do the same thing, and based on the issue I had with it discharging without depressing the button, I would not recommend using it around pets or children. I received the BugzOff Electric Fly Swatter Racket compliments of BugzOff and VIP Power Club for my honest opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free coupon to try the product in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion. Based on the device I received, I would only give this a 3 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

 

BugzOff Electric Fly Swatter Racket is available on Amazon. 

Writey Board Stick On Whiteboard and Markers

If you home school or have a home office, you are sure to have use for a dry erase board and markers. I know for the duration of 11 years I used one for my home school children from everything to spelling tests, to math homework and everything in between. For a busy executive like I have, a monthly dry erase board helps keep track of business meetings, deadlines, travel plans and more. So when I was asked to review Whitey Board Stick On Whiteboard and Markers, I had to try it. I will break it down into two groups, what I liked about each product and what I didn't care for, along with a sum up of the review in conclusion.

Writey Board Stick On Whiteboard and Markers is a blank, monthly dry erase board in a sense that it is a peel off sticky board. You simply peel it off, and apply it where you would love a monthly dry erase board. It does come with warnings to ensure if you have recently painted a surface within 30 days, it might remove the paint and to take caution before using. It also comes with 4 dry erase refillable markers, red, black, green and blue, chisel tips. This was depending on how you use it, you can get a broad or fine edge to your lettering.

Pros: Love the thickness of the dry erase board, if you can call it that, since it is a peel off. It is really study and I could see simply using thumb tacks instead of peeling it off and applying it to use it. Love the blank month and days, so I can simply update it depending on the month. It comes pre-packaged in a cute dry erase marker shape. The colors of the markers are vibrant and clear and don't smell as strong as your typical dry erase markers. The white board measures 2 feet by 3 feet.

Cons: Since it is a peel off and apply dry erase board, you have to be cautious on which surfaces you apply it to, as I mentioned above. Not sure how you might test it in a long term situation, to ensure there is no damage to the surface you apply it to. The markers leak. I was surprised when I opened the cap to the red one and it literally dripped all over the carpet, my jeans and fingers. Not what you want when using a refillable marker. I was pretty happy with the product until that happened. It does wash off easily enough and haven't washed my jeans to see if the red dye comes out since I just tried it today. Since this applies to a surface, caution must be used to ensure you don't wipe off the markers onto the wall when erasing the ink.

Overall, based on the markers, I would rate this product overall a 3 out of 5 stars. I would keep the Writey Board Monthly Calendar and use another set of dry erase markers that don't leak. If you are using them with younger children, these could become a bigger mess than it is worth. I would avoid using these for younger children due to all the precautions mentioned above. I received Writey Board Stick On Whiteboard and Markers compliments of Omni-Deals and Writey Board for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a Writey Board and Markers to try in exchange for my personal and unbiased review.

For more information about Writey Board Stick On White Board and Markers, please click on the links below:

Writey Board Stick On White Board and Markers

GO PUCK: The World's Most Versatile Battery - Product Review

I am super excited to share a great new product with you. For anyone who has ever winded up with a dead battery and no way to charge it, I have something you'd be interested in that works better than promised. It is called GO PUCK. About the size and weight of a hockey puck, the GO PUCK is a device that can charge up to two devices simultaneously to full capacity within about an hour or two depending on the device, via the USB cable which comes included.

I had the opportunity to try GO PUCK and mine not only came with the USB cable to allow you to charge the GO PUCK device but to use it to charge any device with the standard charging port found on most devices with the exception of the iPhone. However you can use your iPhone charger to plug into your device and then attach the USB end directly into the GO PUCK for a recharge.

This would be so convenient for someone like my husband who uses his phone during his flights and can't always find someplace to charge it during the flight or during brief layovers. In fact, he tested it for me during his flights to Boston and Texas and both times, this worked flawlessly. It gave him just what he needed so he didn't have to stop and find an outlet somewhere to charge his phone or tablet. This would also be great for hikers who don't always have access to a charger during weekend hikes, when an emergency might warrant such a need or when a back up battery simply won't do. Plus it is rugged: shock and vibration resistant. Students or anyone who simply don't have access to a charging station depending on your need, you don't have to worry about one now, as long as you have your Go Puck charged before you leave.

Here are you specs on the GO PUCK: It is wearable as long as you get the active mount. (Mine is included and pictured here). It is a 2.4 A output 2A input and up to 2 times faster charging than other systems. The capacity is a lithium power to go 6,600mAh  24.42 Wh. It is sharable in that it can charge up to two devices at once with the dual USB ports on the GO PUCK.

This can charge any device such as a smartphone, device, action camera, wearables like smart watches and even Bluetooth devices. This is truly mobile freedom and one I would highly recommend adding to your emergency packs. Capacity for charging is depending on the devices you are charging and the model Go Puck you have. There are 3X, 5X and 6XR models available but tablets can be charged 1 time, large phones can be charged 2 times, small phones 4 times, and action cameras between 3-6 times depending on the device manufacturer and weight of the device from 4 oz up to 6.5 oz. You can even enjoy up to 4 times faster recharging with the 6XR Model. With the active mount, you can clip it on, strap it or mount it on your device or backpack (See picture below). The GO PUCK comes with a LED that will turn off while charging your device.

I received the GO PUCK compliments of GO PUCK and Omni-Deals for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a complimentary GO PUCK in exchange for my unbiased and personal opinion. I really LOVE this for anyone who uses a wireless device and hates the hassle of always trying to find some place to charge it. Now I need to get my husband to give it back so I can have it handy. Most likely I'll end up buying two more, one for him and one for my daughter who is always forgetting to charge her phone. No more excuses of my phone died and I didn't have a place to charge it. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about the GO PUCK, or where you can pick one up today, please click on the links below:

GO PUCK: The World's Most Versatile Battery

You can find GO PUCK on Facebook to stay up to date on all their latest products and uses.

Zekpro LED Clip Reading Lamp

As a busy mom, we love it when we can find great products that truly work as well as they say they do. As a product reviewer, I am always looking for things that make my life easy and as a book reviewer working with major publishing houses, finding time to read is challenging. Most of the time it is done when everything else is from cooking dinner to getting homework done. As a wife who's husband travels, we know how precious sleep can be. So without disturbing my husband with a bright bedside table lamp, I offer you Zekpro LED Clip Reading Lamp. This is by far the BEST portable reading lamp I've ever tried. In fact, I didn't even get to try it out before my youngest daughter who is in high school snatched it up for her late night gaming sessions in bed.

The best things about this product are the 3 touch brightness settings that you can simply push a button to dim or raise the intensity of the LED display. I love how powerful the high setting is. The clamp is big enough you don't have to worry about it breaking, and it really has some weight to it so it doesn't feel cheap. The flexibility of the gooseneck all you to position it just where you need it the most. The best part, I saved for last, is the ability to eliminate the use of those disposable batteries and this one simply plugs into your USB port for a recharge. It lasts up to 5 hours which is just perfect for me to fit in a full length novel without disturbing anyone.

Some great uses for this are gaming to highlight your computer if it doesn't come with a lighted keyboard, camping for finding all those things we can misplace in the dark, and even for latenight cookouts on your bar-b-Que or campfire. It truly does put out some incredible light for this LED display. The light comes with both an adapter and a USB plug so you truly have the best of both worlds. This would also be great for college dorms for those late night study sessions when your room mate must get their sleep.

I received the Zekpro Reading Light Lamp compliments of VIP Power Club in exchange for my honest and unbiased review and did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review. I truly would buy more than one of these for use in my own and have to anyways because my daughter has commandeered mine, so this mom is purchasing another one. This a great gift for a book lover or busy student who is wanting a book reading light that truly works better than expected. For me, this one was a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

You can order a Zekpro Reading Light Lamp at Amazon.com. 

Oniza 3 in 1 Camera Lens

Sometimes its too much to grab a bulky full size camera along especially with all the advancements in camera technology and the versatility of having your smart phone handy. Add in all the latest photo editing software and your just about set. Now you can also add on Oniza 3 in 1 camera lens designed specifically for use on your iPhone, HTC, Samsung smart phones as well as your iPads, Tablets, PC's or laptops that have a camera included in them.

The Oniza 3 in 1 camera lens offers you three unique lens capabilities, Fisheye, Macro and Wide Angle. You simply clip on the lens of your choice on your device and ensure that it is over your devices built in lens and you're all set. I found that I truly enjoyed the Macro the best because it blurs the outer edges so your focus is on the detail in the center of the lens.

The top photo shows the image from my Samsung 4 phone without the lens and the bottom is with the macro lens attached. It blurs the outer edges so you can focus on the "shift" button photo.


The only downside I found to using the clip on lens is that based on the size of the case you have, you might need to remove it in order to line up correctly so you don't see an edge from the lens. The wide angle lens offers a 180 degree view point of what your camera sees which helps if you're not a pro using the panorama function on your device like me. All the lens fit in a smart fabric bag that you can tuck into your purse or pocket and you're ready to use. This definitely gives you some incredible options to take your own photography to a whole new fun level. For the price point, you can't beat it!

I received the Oniza 3 in 1 camera lens kit compliments of Oniza and the VIP Power Club for an honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from the Oniza 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit to try in exchange for my honest and personal opinion. You get three lens, a fiber cleaning cloth, a fabric holding bag, and rubber covers for each of the lens, along with a clip to fit your device. For the price point, this is definitely worth it in my opinion. I would give this product a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and love the convenience of taking this with me for more photo options in using my smart phone. Teens will definitely LOVE it as my 17-year-old daughter commandeered mine when I got it.

For more information about the Oniza 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit or where you can pick one up today, please click on the links below:

Oniza 3 in 1 Camera Lens Kit from Amazon.

Droiee Ceramic Hair Straightener Brush Review

I was so hopeful in the latest trend for ceramic hair straighteners when I was offered the opportunity to review a Droiee Ceramic Hair Straightener Brush. It look easy enough to use and as you know there is a growing trend for this product by consumers.

It is simple in theory and easy to use since all it requires is just plug it in, turn it on and wait for the brush to heat up. The LCD display offers the consumer the ability to see just how hot the product is before using it to straighten your hair by simply running the brush through your hair.

It did heat up by the smell of the brush reminded my 17-year-old daughter of stale moldy salsa. Even despite the horrible odor, she opted to give it a try assuming that perhaps the product was new and that was just the smell when first using it. However, the results fell flat. No matter how many times she tried to "straighten" her hair, the product did not work. In fact, she said the brush made her hair feel worse and caused it to frizz instead. The brush was hard to work through her hair and she has fine hair to begin with.

That being said, I can't not in good faith recommend this product. It did not work as predicted and would rate this product a 1 out of 5 stars.

I received Droiee Ceramic Hair Straightener Brush compliments of the company in exchange for my honest and personal review of the product. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from the product itself in exchange for my honest review.

Ortz PS4 Vertical Stand with Cooling Fan

My daughter is a huge video game fan and has just about every video game system there is. She is always concerned now with the issue of over heating of the large consoles and the length of time she generally spends playing them when she has time. Since overheating is a concern that most of the companies recognize they are always quick to point out how to ensure they don't. From making sure they are placed on hard surfaces, to making sure that nothing is placed on top of the gaming console or that the air intakes remain free from being blocked.

When the opportunity became available to review the Ortz PS4 Vertical Stand with Cooling Fan, and realizing how much money we spent on the console, we knew this was something we had to try. Anything that enables the unit to prevent overheating has got to be something you might want to try. It was simple to use and extremely easy to hook up. The fan does emit some noise but not so much to be distracting from playing the games, more like a slight hum. The availability to stand the unit up vertically now has offered us some additional desk top space we didn't have before and it does not affect the performance of the game. The best part for her was the ability to charge her wireless controllers that comes built in. She loved that it was easy to use, is helping her with preventing any overheating issues, provides more space on her gaming desk and charges her controllers when she is done.

For me, the price point was well worth it to ensure that we won't have any overheating issues and the benefit of having a way to charge her wireless controllers without more wires is a convenience any parent or serious gamer would love, plus it is all in one. With us, this one truly rates a full 5 out of 5 stars in our opinion and would be highly recommended to anyone with a PS4.

I received the Ortz PS4 Vertical Stand with Cooling Fan compliments Ortz and the VIP Power Club for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from the product in exchange for my personal and honest evaluation. For more information about the Ortz PS4 Vertical Stand with Cooling Fan, please click on the links below:

Ortz PS4 Vertical Stand with Cooling Fan

Grub Market - Review and Giveaway

Today more than ever moms and families are becoming more aware of where our food is produced, how it is grown and what additives or preservatives are being added in. You see the labels everywhere claiming "Organic," "Non-GMO," "Gluten-Free," and so many more but are they really what they claim. Whatever happened to those good old small town farmers who believed in raising food and produce the old-fashioned way. More importantly, how can you know if you are truly getting what you pay for? Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to take all those small town old fashioned farmers in one place and allow consumers to pick what they want and have it delivered right to their front door without costing an arm and a leg?

Great news!!! A company does exist and it's called Grub Market. Consumers can log into the companies website with their zip code to see what kinds of produce and products are available. Everything from Gluten-Free, Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Locally Sourced, and Preservative Free. You choose bread, meat, milk, eggs, fruits and veggies and more right from the site and it is shipped directly to your front door.

In fact, I had the pleasure of having a California Fruit Bounty Box delivered for me to try some of the produce in season at that time. I was delighted when I got the box which was packaged better than most fragile products I have ordered. I received a pineapple, some organic apples, oranges, an avocado, a pomegranate, a pear a box of dates, and a grapefruit. Before I even opened the box, the smell of the produce inside was evident and they truly smelled amazing. The best part besides how fresh and wonderful they smelled was their taste. There is something that tastes so different when it's homegrown, fresh and organic. Like you walked outside and picked them fresh from your own plants. I was more than delighted to get these but I loved the availability of the products you can order directly from the website as they are all local fresh food that is shipped direct from the farm to your front door.

For those of you that want to try to products, visit Grub Market and see what is available in your neck of the woods or farm and while you are there, use the coupon code GRUB20 to get 20% off your order. These are wholesale foods at wholesale prices and are always 20-50% off and you never have to leave the comfort of your home to get them,. There is farm produce, fresh fruits, condiments, organic eggs, pasture raised meat, baked goods, candies, healthy snacks, beverages, delicious dairy and pantry products. You even get FREE Shipping on orders over $59.00!!!

I received Grub Markets California Fruit Bounty Box compliments of Grub Market and Propeller LLC for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from the California Fruit Bounty Box in exchange for my fair and honest evaluation. Trust me, besides the convenience of ordering this from home and knowing it's being shipped from the farm to my front door, I now have a hand in the food my family enjoys and I know where it is coming from and can feel good about knowing my family is getting the best that I hoped for in purchasing these products. I easily give Grub Market a full 5 out of 5 stars and think its a win-win situation all around for both families and farmers.

Now for the best part...thanks to the generosity of Grub Market and Propeller LLC, they are offering a regular sized California Fruit Bounty Box to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here is all you need to do to enter.

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. "Like" Grub Market on Facebook.

3. Be a resident of the U.S.  No P.O. Boxes, please!!!

4. Leave a comment below telling me why you'd love to win a Grub Market California Fruit Bounty Box and don't forget to leave me your email address. Otherwise I have no way to reach you if you're the lucky winner. You can even use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

The giveaway ends on February 10, 2016. So feel free to enter as many times as you want. Winner will be notified by email.

For more information about Grub Market, please click on the links below:

Grub Market 

You can find Grub Market on Facebook to stay up to date with all their latest information and products.


"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

iCooker Automatic Soap Dispenser

One thing that really bothers me is when I have dirty hands and have to touch things like my soap dispenser. So when the opportunity became available to try iCooker's Automatic Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser I knew I had to try this one. I've even considered upgrading our kitchen nozzles to automated ones as well to eliminate greasy or muddy hands from touching those surfaces.

This one was a complete breeze to use. Simply insert 4 AAA batteries into the bottom of the device (no it does not come with batteries). You unlock the plastic top by turning counter clockwise to remove and fill with your favorite brand of soap. Do not use the kind with beads in it as it can clog the dispenser unit. To switch it on, simply press and hold the on/off button which is a small black button on the top of the dispenser for 3 seconds. You should see a lighted red led come on to indicate the unit is on. To turn it off, simply do the same thing. To adjust the volume of soap, depress the same button once while the unit is on. We love the second option. There are 3 adjustable levels. Simply place your hand under the dispense and presto, instant soap without all the mess.

To clean the unit, simply wipe down with a soft cloth or sponge. It gives the appearance of being stainless steel but is a plastic version, which for the price point is suitable. I think it looks great next to our kitchen sink. The only issue I had was the sensitivity of the infrared as it went off when I was close to the dispenser but did not have my hands directly under it. Since we have cats, that are constantly in our kitchen window, we had to keep it turned off when we were not around, which I guess could defeat the purpose of using it when your hands are dirty. You'd have to turn it on to make it work, thus defeating its purpose. I would recommend this being used in bathrooms instead or if you don't have a pet problem like I do, keep it away from things that might cause it to go off accidentally or simply place it just over your sink. It does actually hold quite a bit of soap which surprised me.

I received the iCooker Automatic Soap Dispenser compliments of iCooker and the VIP Power Club for my honest opinion. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review outside of the free dispenser and the opinions contained in this review are strictly my own honest ones. I would rate this product a 4 out of 5 stars and will probably buy a few more for my bathroom uses over putting it in the kitchen.

For more information about iCooker Automatic Soap Dispenser or where you can purchase one today, please click on the links below:

iCooker Automatic Soap Dispenser

iCooker Pest Control Repellent - Product Review

I don't know if you're like me, I don't like having to kill spiders or any other crawling thing inside or outside my home. That is usually a job for my husband. Since we live in the High Desert and the back end of our property butts up against a wash, we are prone to more than our fair share of pests from Japanese Water Bugs, Cockroaches and all kinds of spiders and ants. Basically you name it, we pretty much have it. Occasionally they will find a way into our home and unless hubby is home, I have to rid the home of the unwanted pests.

I was excited to try the iCooker Pest Control Repellent which claims to rid your home of ants, mice, spiders, mosquitos and other crawling pests without the use of any chemicals, sprays or baits. That was a great incentive for me to try it. The product is super simple to use, simply plug it in and it begins working. It uses ultrasound and electromagnetic technology to help repel the pests, which means you won't have to deal with finding some dead pest laying around your home where you least expect it. It drives them out by causing them discomfort and using the environment where your device is plugged in to irritate and drive them away. Since there are no toxic chemicals and poisons it is safe to use for your pets, provided that they are not rodents, rabbits or other smaller animals.

There are some consideration as well as since the device does not pass through walls, doors and furniture or behind curtains, sofas and other furniture, because it blocks the signal. It works best if in an area that is uncarpeted, like a bathroom, garage or kitchen. For best protection, it advises to use one per room. There are three lights that will be lit once the unit is plugged in to ensure it is working properly. The red light tells you that the unit is working. The yellow light indicates an electromagnetic field is functioning and the green light lets you know the ultrasound function is working. It also comes with a blue night light function that can be turned on and off depending on your need, which is activated by pressing a white button on the top of the unit to turn it on or off.
The instructions do carry some warnings: If you have a second device, make sure it is plugged far enough away from the other unit to ensure they work as designed. Keep away from children. Do not use poisons or chemicals while using this device as some products are designed to attract the pests so its a catch twenty two on using this. Expect results in 1 to 3 weeks.

I received iCooker Pest Control Repellent compliments of VIP Power Club and iCooker for my honest review of this product. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from a free sample of the unit to try and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. I can honestly say, this works for me. We have issues with these kinds of pests based on the issues we have with the wash and the desert environment. We have not had any issues with the constant influx of pests and haven't seen any sign of them since installing this device. The only issue I do have is that ticking noise that comes from the unit when it is plugged in, other than that, it works like a dream. I would rate this product a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion. The price point is great considering how much some pest control services cost but this is well worth it if you place one in each room. I would love to see one that works on the outside perimeter of the home.

For more information about the iCooker Pest Control Repellent, or where you can pick up a copy of this for your home, please click on the links below:

iCooker Pest Control Repellent

Passport 2 Purity - Product Review

Passport2Purity from FamilyLife® on Vimeo.


It seems like growing up for our children and teens is becoming more challenging. This is a much different world than the one I know I grew up in and even for my own teen daughter, it is a way different world for her as well. What worked for us thirty years ago isn't so much what is accepted today and that is where the Passport 2 Purity Getaway Kit comes into play. Inside this kit is a weekend getaway of sorts for you and your teen, to prepare for an overnight or weekend trip to discuss what challenges they are likely to face as they grow up. How the world can influence them, social media, their friends and even the challenges they struggle with with hormonal changes can be a lot for a teen to handle. So planning this is a perfect way to get a chance to talk about what really matters.

Inside the kit you will find a total of 8 CDs hosted by Dennis and Barbara Rainey who help coach you through these challenging topics like Running with the Herd, the challenges that are represented by having good and bad influences in their life, Ready for an Upgrade dealing with all the changes that are going on with your teens body and how that is changing them into adults, Destination Le Pure, is a topic covering what it means to stay pure until marriage and how God views relationships in accordance to the standards God has designed for all of us, and even Crossing the Dateline, what happens when things go a bit further than you had intended them to go, or you found yourself in a bit too deep. Each of these topics is discussed as you listen to a CD in two parts designed to run about an hour each. Along with each lesson, there is a great fun activity to drive the points home and hopefully make them a bit more memorable to learn from. Our favorite was the Running with The Herd activity. It deals with how influences can change you from who you wanted to be, into something you may or may not want to be later.

Your teen is given her own Passport Journal to capture her thoughts and open areas for discussion for both of you. Such as what qualities do you look for in friends now and perhaps what qualities you might want to consider in future friends. At the conclusion of this lesson for you and your teen, you are given an opportunity to present them with contract, to help them stay pure until marriage and options of gift ideas like a purity ring or necklace that helps remind your teen to stay pure for God. I only wish I would have had this for my first daughter, it might have saved her quite a bit of heartache and create a great discussion point for us to keep communication open. Being a corporate trainer, I know that the lessons coupled with the activities will definitely be something they remember and hopefully talk to their friends about.

I received The Passport 2 Purity by Dennis and Barbara Rainey compliments of Family Life and Propeller LLC for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review aside from receiving the Passport 2 Purity Getaway Kit. The activity my daughter loved the most was the Running with the Herd because it teaches you about the good and bad influences people can have in your life, once you make some compromises you can't go back to who you were before, so you might want to choose wisely. It was definitely a homerun activity for my daughter and one she can't wait to share with her high school youth group at church. For us, that just speaks volumes and we presented her with her choice of a purity ring to help remind her to stay pure for marriage. It is definitely worth the wait and not the message the world wants our teens to hear. For us, its well worth all 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

If you are interested in purchasing a Passport 2 Purity Getaway Kit for your family, you can get 25% off by using the promotion code PASSPORT until 8/31/2015 and clicking the purchase link.

You can find out more information about Passport 2 Purity, Dennis and Barbara Rainey, or where you can purchase your own Getaway Kit by clicking the links below:

Passport 2 Purity Getaway Kit by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

You can find Dennis and Barbara Rainey on Facebook for more great ideas on dating or marriage according to the Bible.

You can find Passport2Purity on Facebook for more great ways to talk to your teen about remaining pure and for some great resources.

To purchase a Passport 2 Purity Getaway Kit for your teen, please click on this link!

Red Baron Brick Oven Pizza

 

Who doesn't love a great pizza? Most people do and finding the same great quality in frozen pizza as they do with fresh pizza is hard to find. When I received the offer from being a BzzAgent to try Red Baron Brick Oven Pizza, I knew I had to try it. My youngest daughter loves the simplicity of being able to pop pizza in the oven and was more than willing to help me with the taste test. When we arrived at our local grocery store there were 4 different varieties to try; plain cheese, pepperoni, pepperoni and sausage, and sausage supreme which had green peppers and onions along with sausage. We opted for pepperoni.

The directions on the box were the first things we noticed. Simple in the best format I have ever seen. Not hard to follow at all.

The time was pretty standard at 17-20 minutes so we opted at 18:30 as a middle ground. You have the option of setting it on the oven rack or baking sheet, and we did the baking sheet.

18 minutes and 30 seconds later, we have a great looking pizza that smelled heavenly. The pizza crush was nice and crisp, which is something I had usually found lacking in frozen pizza's. Just the right amount of sauce and cheese rounded out what I would call a pretty great tasting pizza. My daughter rated it a 4 out of 5 and I would have to agree with her.

In fact, the best thing was picking up so more pizzas when we hosted our family dinner night on Wednesday night. We invited friends and family for a night of food and fun, and these pizza's were a hit to the 6 people who showed up. We didn't even tell them they were frozen until after they had begun to eat them. Almost everyone was pretty impressed that these were frozen pizza mostly because of the crunchy crust. I even passed out two coupons I had for $1.00 for those that wanted to pick these up for home.

I would love to see more toppings added to the pizza which would be my only issue with them. You could always keep some spare toppings on hand and perhaps even hosting a pizza party and just pick up the plain cheese pizzas. Overall, I would rate these a 4 out of 5 stars in my opinion and for a easy meal when you're craving pizza, these are perfect to keep on hand in your freezer.

iCooker Camera Lens Thermos Coffee Mug - Product Review

If you have anyone who is a photographer or loves photography, I've got a great product and gift idea to tell you about! It is the iCooker Coffee Mug!

Just looking at the iCooker Camera Lens Thermos Coffee Mug leads you to believe it is simply another camera lens for your 35mm camera! But it's a great 12 oz stainless steel thermal coffee mug instead! Being a novice photographer, this was definitely something I could relate to!

It looks authentic and fits perfectly in your cars cup holder depending on your car, so it makes the perfect gift for any photographer or fan of photography. It is the identical shape of a Canon 24 to 105mm lens. It is BPA safe and keeps your favorite beverage hot or cold for hours. It comes with a lid that offers a slide opening to allow you to drink your beverage and helps keep spills under control. It does have a rubber seal on the lid to ensure a perfect fit on the lid. For those of you that have Keurig coffee makers this size is perfect to fit under your coffee maker so you can enjoy your favorite beverage in stylish fun coffee cup. It is dishwasher safe as well!

I received the iCooker Camera Lens Thermos Coffee Mug compliments from iCooker and VIP Power Club for my honest review of their product. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own. What I love about this product besides the stainless steel inside is the size. Just perfect for that single serving of coffee. For me, I've had mugs that are the equivalent of almost 2 1/2 cups and knowing I need to watch my intake of coffee, this makes it easy to track how much I am drinking. I even bought one of these for my daughter who loves something a bit unique for her coffee drinking and it keeps it from looking like all the other cups at work. It definitely is an eye catcher for those looking for that perfect gift for a photography fan! I easily give this product a 5 out of 5 stars and love the great price on it at this time. It's a weighted cup so its definitely not a cheap product. It feels like a true camera lens!!!

For more information about iCooker Camera Lens Thermos Coffee Mug, or where you can order it, please click on the links below:

iCooker Camera Lens 12 oz Stainless Steel Thermos Coffee Mug